Tributes paid to Johnny McEvoy, who has died aged 81

Tributes are pouring in for Johnny McEvoy this afternoon, following the sad news of the Irish singer-songwriter's death, aged 81.

His children, Jonathan and Alice, confirmed the news in a statement:

"Dad's music meant so much to so many people, but to us, he was just Dad. We're so grateful for all the love shown to him over the years."

McEvoy passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 8, at his home in Greystones. He is survived by his children Jonathan and Alice, and his grandchildren Kyle, Isabella and Cinéad. His wife, Odette, passed away in 2013.

Born in Banagher, Co. Offaly in 1945, Johnny got his start in music in the early '60s, as part of the folk duo The Ramblers Two, alongside Michael Crotty. McEvoy went on to find success as a solo artist with a version of 'Muirsheen Durkin', which went No.1 in Ireland in 1966. The year before, he supported The Rolling Stones on their Irish tour.

Tipped as 'Ireland's answer to Bob Dylan', he went onto to release hit versions of 'The Boston Burglar' and ' Nora', before going electric, and forming a band, in the '70s.

Some of his most popular compositions include 'Long Before Your Time' (which also went No.1 in Ireland), 'Michael', Going To California', 'The Ballad of John Williams', 'Rich Man's Garden', and 'Never Learned To Dance'.

His life and career was the subject of a 2010 RTÉ documentary, The Johnny McEvoy Story.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is among those who have paid tribute to the singer this morning – describing him as "a true icon of Irish folk music."

"Through his career spanning over six decades, Johnny brought great joy to audiences who had great affection for him, the Taoiseach continued. "My sympathies to his family, friends and fans at this time."

Frances Black, meanwhile, has remembered McEvoy as "one of the finest interpreters of Irish song we have ever had."

"He had a gift for finding the heart of a song and handing it to the listener with honesty and warmth," she wrote online. "From the days of 'Muirsheen Durkin', which made him a household name in the sixties, right through to songs of his own like 'Long Before Your Time', he gave us a body of work that will be sung in kitchens, pubs and concert halls for generations.

"He was a true performer. He could hold a room with just his voice and guitar, and he did that for six decades, in every corner of Ireland and far beyond. He was still filling venues this year, which tells you everything about the bond he had with his audience..."

Nathan Carter has also paid tribute to McEvoy, describing him as "the finest singer songwriters to have ever graced the stage."

"I was honoured to have shared the stage with Johnny a few times & his music will live on for many years to come!"